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8 Unexpected Benefits of Arts and Crafts for Kids

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As your child grows, you may be focused on promoting their development. You may be focused on teaching them math, reading, writing, and science. But did you know that art can be a great tool for development? According to the National Endowment for the Arts, students who study art are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and three times more likely to be awarded for school attendance. Here we’ll talk about 8 unexpected benefits of arts and crafts for kids.

1. Self-Expression

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Arts and crafts allow children to use their imaginations. They will learn that the possibilities are endless with art! Through arts and crafts, you can expose your kids to different mediums, tools, textures, and techniques. This will help expand their world and cultivate their curiosity.

2. Fine Motor Skills 

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Fine motor skill development is strengthening the muscles in the fingers and hands and how they interact with the brain. Holding a paintbrush, tearing or gluing, and cutting with scissors are essential for developing fine motor skills. Fine motor skills help children learn to write and even tie their shoes or button their coats. This will help your children be more independent.

3. Improve Self-Esteem 

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There are no mistakes in art! Has your child given you a piece of artwork and been beaming with pride? This is so important to improve self-esteem and confidence. Make sure to encourage your kids and tell them that they should be proud of their creations. Hanging the artwork on the fridge or displaying it can help reinforce the praise. 

4.Concentration and Organizational Skills

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Seeing a project through from start to finish will help develop your child’s concentration skills. This concentration will help them tackle even math and science in the future. There are also many organizational skills children will learn through arts and crafts. Planning a project, separating supplies, and using containers can all help them learn organization. 

5. Problem-Solving Skills 

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Creating artwork is good for cognitive development. Open-ended art is a good opportunity to make decisions, come to conclusions, and evaluate the results. Your child will learn things like blending colors, or if you push a crayon harder, the color will be darker. These connections will help them to further develop their problem-solving skills.

6. Develop Communication and Language Skills

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Often children work with other children or adults to produce their artwork. Also, when children describe their artwork, they learn valuable communication skills. Make sure to actively listen and ask questions about their arts and crafts. They will likely learn new vocabulary words like shapes, colors, and textures. 

7. Express Emotions 

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There is a reason why many child therapists and social workers use arts and crafts and play to help children through their emotions. Arts and crafts allow kids to explore difficult thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. According to a study in an MDPI Journal, children’s interviews and art work suggested that arts therapies facilitated self-expression, provided a safe space, empowered children, and supported the development of coping mechanisms. 

8. Appreciation for the Arts

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Who knows you may have a budding artist on your hands! By exposing your kids to arts and crafts you may hone a talent or give your children an appreciation for the arts. Making art familiar and an everyday occurrence is important to developing this appreciation. They will begin to appreciate the beauty around them and will open up their minds to new ways of thinking.

The Importance of Making Art

dad and daughter making art
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These 8 benefits clearly show how important arts and crafts can be for a child’s development. Art can have an exponentially positive impact on children. Most importantly though, it’s fun and enjoyable! Nothing is more important than raising happy children. So, if you’re feeling inspired to get crafty here are some great crafts you can make with your kids.

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